Mehbooba Mufti calls for stronger Kashmiri Pandit-Muslim bonds, urges Government to address migrants’ issues
Srinagar, June 22 (KINS): PDP president Mehbooba Mufti on Monday called for strengthening ties between Kashmiri Pandits and Muslims, urging both communities to move beyond the painful memories of the past and work towards a shared future in Kashmir.
Speaking to reporters after visiting the Mata Kheer Bhawani shrine in Tulmulla during the annual Kheer Bhawani Mela, the former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister welcomed the large number of Kashmiri Pandits who had returned to participate in the festival. She said their presence reflected the Valley’s enduring spirit of communal harmony and that Kashmiris wholeheartedly welcomed them.
Mufti said lasting peace could be achieved only by rebuilding trust and encouraging direct engagement between Kashmiri Pandits and local Muslims. She urged people not to remain confined by past tragedies but to focus on strengthening mutual understanding and coexistence.
In a post on social media, Mufti described the scenes at the Kheer Bhawani Mela as deeply emotional, saying the warmth shared between members of both communities had overcome attempts to create mistrust and division.
She also praised Kashmiri Pandit doctors serving patients within and outside the Valley, saying their contribution was helping rebuild confidence and heal old wounds. She encouraged more young professionals from the community to reconnect with their roots and visit Kashmir.
The PDP leader urged the government to improve facilities for Kashmiri Pandit migrants, stating that many continue to face inadequate housing and welfare-related issues, including concerns linked to benefits under the National Food Security Act (NFSA). She said migrants should receive the support and assistance they are entitled to.
Reiterating her appeal for communal harmony, Mufti said Kashmiri Pandits and Muslims should strengthen direct ties and work together to build a peaceful and inclusive future for Jammu and Kashmir. (KINS)
